Roof structure



Oct. 23, 1928.

J. H. GOODWIN ROOF STRUCTURE Filed July 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Patented Get. 23, 1928 JOHN H. GOODW IN, OF GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 F. OVERLY & SON, OF GREENSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION.

R001 s'rauorunn.

Application filed July 22,

My invention relates broadly to a roof structure, and more particularly to a collapsible roof structure, such as is used over the stage in theaters, and is adapted to automatically open to permit free ventilation above the stage to the outside atmosphere in case of fire. My invention further relates to a collapsible roof structure having oppositely positioned slidable and swingable roof members meeting within the space over a theater stage, such roof members being adapted to move to a position clear of the opening.

My invention still further relates to a closure structure comprising a plurality of relatively movable closure members meeting in a common joint, and yieldable members for sealing the joint.

The object of the invention is to provide a roof structure adapted to very quickly open the space over a theater stage or the like to the atmosphere, this function being accomplished by providing a pair of oppositely disposed outwardly movable roof members adapted to simultaneously recede from each other to a position clear of the opening. A further object is to provide a self-releasing weatherproof joint between the two roof members so constructed that when themenr bers recede outwardly, the sealing means will automatically yield.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have shown a present preferred embodiment of my invention in which Figure 1 is a vertical cross section through a roof structure;

Figure 2 is a top plan view, with portions cut away, of a roof structure as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross section to enlarged scale taken along the line IIIIII of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional View to enlarged scale of a portion of the roof structure shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view to enlarged scale of the sealing means for sealing the joint between the movable roof members.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a curb 2 is provided aboutan opening in the roof 2 of the building or theater, this curb constituting a foundation for the collapsible roof. Secured to the foundation as by bolts 8, is a frame designated generally by reference numeral 4. This frame comprises uprights 5 connected by horizontal braces 6 1927. Serial No. 207,727.

and by inclined top members 7 Secured at intervals to the upright members 5 at each side of the frame are brackets 8 having journaled therein rollers 9 (see Fig. 4').

Supported upon the frame 4 isa pair of oppositely disposed roof members 10. Each of thereof members 10 is preferably formed of sheet material, which may be provided'in sections and joined together by joints 11 (Fig. The roof members 10 are provided at intervals with channels 12 (Fig. 3), which channels are open downwardly, or toward the frame 4. The channels 12 are so disposed as to coincide with the rollers 9, so that each of such rollers is received within and bears against the top of a channel.

Journaled near the upper edge of each of the roof members 10 and in the channels 12, are rollers 13. These rollers extend a short distance downwardly from the lower face of the upper members, and are adapted to bear against the top of the inclined top members 7 of the frame 4. Secured within each of the channels 12 intermediate the ends thereof is a stop 14 having at its lower end a semicircuapparent that further sliding movement is prevented and that the momentum of the moving roof members will be absorbed by the rollers. The stops 14 are preferably positioned at a point somewhat above the center of gravity of the roof members 10 so that after the stops 14 have come in contact with the rollers 9, the lower ends of the roof members will swing inwardly toward the frame about the axes of the rollers 9 as pivots.

Brackets 16 are secured to the lower ends of the roof members and are adaptedto strike against stops 17 positioned at the feet of the upright members 5 of the frame'4, whereby the impact of the roof members is taken at the base of the frame which is securely braced against the foundation 2.

By reason of the fact that gravity tends to Utl cause the roof members 10 to roll downwardly it is necessary to provide means for holding them in position over the space to be covered. Such means will now be described. Secured to one of the roof members is a catch 18 having a longitudinal slot therein. Secured to the other roof member is a bracket 19 having pivoted therein a short lever 20. Pivoted at the opposite end of the lever 20 is a lever 21 having at its upper end a hook adapted to engage the catch 18 by insertion into the longitudinal slot therein. The lever 21 is preferably pivoted adjacent its upper end as shown in Figure 1. The lower end of the lever'2l is provided with a hook 22 for engaging an eye 23, which is in turn connected to a flexible cable 24. The opposite end of the flexible cable 24 may be secured to the frame or any other stationary member. In the cable 24 is a fusible link 25, which is of suflicientstrength to hold the hook on the lever 21 in engagement with the catch 18. This link 25, however, is formed of thermosensitive material so that it will melt at high temperatures, thus breaking the cable 2a and permitting the release of the hook from the catch 18. This, in turn, removes the force tending to hold the roof members 10 in place, whereupon, under the influence of gravity they will move downwardly and outwardly to the position indicated in chain lines in Figure 1. The fusible link 25 is made of such material that it will melt at a desired temperature, which temperature will be such as would be created by a fire in the vicinity of the link. The members 10 will thus automatieally move to a position clear of the .space within the frame, permitting a free ventilation. In order that the joint between the'two roof members 10 may be weathertight, suitable sealing means are provided.

-Such sealing means may comprise a rigid member 26 secured to one of the roof members and having its upper portion curved convexly outward, as shown in Figure 5. Se

7 cured to the other roof member is a member 27 having hinged thereto a concavely shaped cap 28. When the roof members are in place,

the cap 28 is adapted to lie over the convexly curved outer surface of the member 26 as shown in Figure 5, thereby effecting a weather-tight joint between the roof members. The cap'28 also serves to shed water I:gway from the joint between the roof memers.

By reason of the hinged connection between the member 27 and the cap 28, upon downward and outward movement of the roof members 10, the cap will pivot about the hinge to permit the member 26 to slide out wardly thereunder. This will break the seal between the roof members automatically and without necessitating any additional force.

Secured to the frame 4 are angle brackets 29 adapted to cooperate with brackets 30 on the roof members to provide a weather-tight joint at the lower edge of the roof members when they are in place, as shown in Figure 1. These brackets are adapted to disengage upon downward movement of the roof members.

The arrangement provides a maximum open area with practically no obstructions therein, so that in the case of fire, the opening will not clog up by the accumulation of burning paper, scenery, etc. The curb 2 is suliiciently high to allow clearance for the roof sections to swing to a vertical position even if there be a considerable depth of snow on the roof.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is not limited to the form shown, but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

1 claim: v

1. A roof structure, comprising a plurality of relatively movable roof members meetin in a common joint, and a pivotally mounted ridge member on one of the roof members for sealing the joint.

2. A roof structure, comprising a plurality of relatively movable roof members meeting in a common joint, and means on such members for sealing the joint, at least one of such sealing means being yieldable to permit of unsealing the joint upon relative movement of the roof members.

3. A roof structure, comprising a plurality of relatively movable roof members meet-- ing in a common joint, fixed sealing means on one of the roof members, and yieldable sealing means on another of the roof members adapted to cooperate with the fixed sealing means to permit of unsealing the oint upon realtive movement of the roof members.

4. A roof structure, including a pair of relatively movable roof members meeting in a common joint, a convex sealing element on one member, a cooperating element on the other member adapted to fit over said first element, said second element being movably carried by the roof member on which it is mounted to permit of unsealing the joint upon relative movement of the closure members.

5. A roof structure, comprising a plurality of relatively movable closure members sealing the joint, such hinged means being adapted to yield to permit unsealing of the jolnt upon relative movement of the closure members.

7. A roof structure, comprising a movable closure member normally urged to inoperative position by gravity, means for holding such member in operative position, and a lever mounted on a floating pivot interposed between the holding means and the closure member.

8. A roof structure, comprising a frame around an opening, and a gravity operated slidable and swingable roof member over the opening adapted to move to a position clear of the opening at a predetermined time.

9. A roof structure, comprising a frame around an opening, and slidableand swingable roof members meeting within the opening, such roof members being adapted to move to a position clear of the opening.

10. A roof structure, comprising a frame around an opening, and slidable and swingable roof members meeting substantially centrally of the opening and adapted to simultaneously reeede from each other to a position clear of the opening.

11. A roof structure, comprising a frame around an opening, and a pair of oppositely disposed gravity operated slidable and swingable roof members adapted to move to a position clear of the opening.

12. A roof structure, comprising a frame around an opening, gravity operated slidable and swingable roof members, and thermo sensitive means for holding the roof members over the opening, the roof members being adapted to move to a position clear of the opening upon release of the thermosensitive holding means.

13. A roof structure, comprising a pair of oppositely disposed slidable and swingable roof members, and a thermally controlled latch for holding the roof members together, the roof members being auapted'to simultaneously reoede from each other upon release of the latch.

14. A roof structure, comprising oppositely disposed slidable and swingable roof members meeting in a common joint, yieldable means for sealing the joint, and a latch for holding the roof members together, the

roof members being adapted to simulta-' therein, a supporting frame about the opening, inclined structural bars carried thereby, a roof section over the bars having rollers thereon adapted to ride on the bars, rollers carried on the supporting frame projecting outwardly therefrom, guideways on the roof engaging said last mentioned rollers, the guideways having a stop therein near the center of the roof, and means for normally holding the roof over the inclined bars, said means when released allowing the roof to roll down the bars until the said last-named rollers engage the stop whereby the roof section may swing vertically to clear the opening.

17. A roof having a ventilating opening therein, a curb around the opening, a supporting frame on the curb about the opening, inclined structural bars carried thereby, a roof section over the bars having rollers thereon adapted to ride on the bars, rollers carried on the supporting frame projecting outwardly therefrom, guideways'on the roof engaging said last mentioned rollers, the guideways having a stop therein near the center of the roof, and means for nor mally holding the roof over the inclined bars, said means when rel ased, allowing the roof to roll down the bars until the said last named rollers engage the stop whereby the roof section may swing vertically to'clear the opening, the lowermost edge of the roof section being well above the roof when in vertical position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set In hand.

y JOHN H. GOODWIN. 

